Police take to skies to bust speeding truckies

Notice that low-flying plane above you? Police in NSW take to skies to target speed and fatigue over Christmas

December 14, 2009

Police in NSW will this week launch a fixed wing plane to target speeding and fatigued drivers during the Christmas period.

Starting from December 18 and running until January 3 next year, Operation Safe Arrival will monitor driver fatigue from above.

Commissioner Andrew Scipione says the plane is equipped with a device that measures the time taken for a vehicle to travel between special lines marked on the road by the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA).

"Where police on board detect a speeding offence a ticket will be issued by mail to the registered owner. Police will also have the capability to coordinate ground- based officers to intercept the vehicle if necessary," Scipione says.

"Road users should know, police are now everywhere targeting speeding – even the sky."

Scipione says police are determined to halt the alarming road toll, which is currently 444 – 93 more deaths than this time last year.

And just in case motorists choose to ignore police warnings, Scipione has issued a blunt warning: "Just as there are police cars on the road, we will now have a plane in the sky. You never know when police are watching you."

Those flouting speeding and seatbelt laws will also be slugged with double demerit points from December 23 until January 3.

A poster campaign targeting mobile phone usage while driving has also been launched by police and the road motoring group, NRMA.

If caught using a mobile phone, drivers face $338 fines and four demerit points.

The posters will be distributed to local police branches across NSW to given to local community groups and businesses.